Lights, Cameras and Action!

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Located at tinseltown Hollywood itself, Universal Studios is one of the must-visit attractions on any visitor's itinerary. This world famous attraction comprise both a real working film and TV studio as well as a theme park. Split over two different levels and set on a hillside, Universal Studios is considered by many to be the quintessential LA experience, although trying to catch the stars themselves probably requires a fair amount of luck. All of its rides, shows and thematic experiences are closely linked to either movies or television programmes.

Enough talk. Let's roll the cameras!

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Like any theme park, brightly coloured thematic decor abounds here.

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This is probably as close to some of these stars that we can get!

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Our first stop for the day was the world-famous studio tours, where we encountered innocuous looking boxy buildings like these studios here...

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...as well as exciting movie sets and special effects. These cars actually "exploded" in flames and "danced" later.

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Look out, the Hoover Dam has burst and we are being flooded over!

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Movie realism never got closer than this, when an entire aeroplane was destroyed for the movie "The War of the Worlds". Even the smoke seemed authentic.

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Ending off the tour on a happier note were these performers recreating a scene from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" which seemed to be the holiday theme.

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To experience the secret of Hollywood's movie magic, we went on a tour of the Special Effects stage and were treated to quite a few laughs by the animated hosts.

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This authentic inferno in an industrial warehouse was recreated in the Backdraft behind-the-scenes tour.

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Naturally, we had to catch some of the shows and rides. First stop was the Terminator 2: 3D show which involved both real actors and a 3D movie.

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Next was the multi-million dollar extravaganza WaterWorld, which impressed with real life explosions, water blasts, and even an aeroplane which came crashing through!

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For the young and young at heart, there is the Shrek 4D show.

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As well as the Simpsons Ride, which was one enjoyable and thrilling experience.

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We also visited this House of Horrors, which featured many dark and sinister "characters" like Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Zombies and Werewolves. Unfortunately, Ethan got really scared and we had to beat a hasty exit.

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Being close to Christmas, everybody had to have some snowy fun and this was possible with a snow making machine on site.

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These performers outside the Blues Brothers stage added to the yuletide cheer, involving members of the audience.

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Of course, there were lots of mascots walking about. Here's Sponge Bob...

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...and Dora. Two favourites among pre-schoolers.

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Well, Ethan preferred somebody more "docile" and less "active".

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At night, we went on tour of nearby Hollywood Boulevard, and took some pictures at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. This was the famous red-carpeted location for many glittery star-studded affairs.

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We also took some photos as the Walk of Fame, where wannabe movie producer posed beside John Woo's imprints.

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We finally encountered some "stars" - in this case Batman and the Joker having a friendly chat. Unfortunately, we didn't have the US$1 needed to take a picture with them (yeah these guys do this for a living).

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